SMOOTHING

Verb

smoothing

present participle of smooth

Noun

smoothing (plural smoothings)

The act by which something is made smooth.

(phonetics, phonology) Monophthongization.

Source: Wiktionary


Smooth"ing, a. & n.

Definition: fr. Smooth, v. Smoothing iron, an iron instrument with a polished face, for smoothing clothes; a sadiron; a flatiron.

– Smoothing plane, a short, finely set plane, for smoothing and finishing work.

SMOOTH

Smooth, a. [Compar. Smoother; superl. Smoothest.] Etym: [OE. smothe, smethe, AS. smeedhe, smoeedte, where e, oe, come from an older o; cf. LG. smöde, smöe, smödig; of uncertain origin.]

1. Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain. Chaucer. The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities. Dryden.

2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.

3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.

4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent. The only smooth poet of those times. Milton. Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join The varying verse, the full-resounding line. Pope. When sage Minerva rose, From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows. Gay.

5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering. This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft Conceal a traitor. Addison.

6. (Mech. & Physics)

Definition: Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless.

Note: Smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth-browed, smooth-combed, smooth- faced, smooth-finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth- leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth-woven, and the like.

Syn.

– Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive.

Smooth, adv.

Definition: Smoothly. Chaucer. Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Shak.

Smooth, n.

1. The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths. Thackeray.

2. That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. "The smooth of his neck." Gen. xxvii. 16.

Smooth, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Smoothed (smoothd); p. pr. & vb. n. Smoothing.] Etym: [OE. smothen, smethen, AS. smeedhian; cf. LG. smöden. See Smooth, a.]

Definition: To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron. Specifically: -- (a) To free from obstruction; to make easy. Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay, And smooth my passage to the realms of day. Pope.

(b) To free from harshness; to make flowing. In their motions harmony divine So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear Listens delighted. Milton.

(c) To palliate; to gloze; as, to smooth over a fault. (d) To give a smooth or calm appearance to. Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm. Milton.

(e) To ease; to regulate. Dryden.

Smooth, v. i.

Definition: To flatter; to use blandishment. Because I can not flatter and speak fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

26 January 2025

NEGLECT

(verb) leave undone or leave out; “How could I miss that typo?”; “The workers on the conveyor belt miss one out of ten”


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Coffee Trivia

There are four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta. Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.

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